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The Northern Ireland Regional Heat of the WorldSkillsUK Floristry Competitions attracted a larger than ever entry this year. Florists from throughout Northern Ireland competed in the event, hosted again this year by CAFRE at its Greenmount Campus. The theme was ‘A Garden Wedding’, with competitors being asked to create a range of designs including the bride’s bouquet, a bridesmaid’s posy, a wrist corsage, and a table centre suitable for the event. While competitors knew in advance some of the items they would be asked to design there is also a ‘mystery item’ and also they only knew the selection of flowers and sundries available on the morning of the competition. This demanding format requires designs to be commercially viable and produced under strict time constraints. It is truly a test of the florist’s skill and ingenuity. A series of regional heats are held throughout the United Kingdom with the aim of identifying fresh talent within the industry. Competitors may enter the Intermediate Competition (for those with up to two years experience or training in floristry) or Advanced Competition (for those with two to five years experience or training). The overall winner of the Intermediate Competition was Theresa McGreevy of Sally’s Floral Design Studio, Ballymena, and the Advanced Competition was won by Heather Hume of Budding Designs, Randalstown. Both winning competitors trained at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus, where Theresa has just completed the one year full time floristry course. College Director, Mr John Fay, who presented the awards said ‘It has been a pleasure to welcome the UKSkills team and such a talented group of competitors here today and see the range of stunning designs you have created. I’m especially pleased that the judges, Katherine Sherwood and Kate Pepper, have been impressed by the standard of work presented and I hope that the winners of this heat will have earned their place in the UK final in September.’
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